It was getting late. The sun had set a long time ago. Shops up and down the main street of Sunnydale had closed their doors.
Dawn was sitting up in the magic box loft, her back against a bookcase, a large leather bound book resting in her lap. She started to yawn but then tried to hide it. Willow looked over at her noticing that she was no longer shelving but in fact reading. "Dawn." Willow said taking 'Rituals of the Normanic Druids' out of her hands. "I don't think you should be reading that."
Dawn shrugged her shoulders. "I've done enough book sorting to last me a lifetime. Remind to never become a Liberian."
"I think were done here anyway." Tara added indicating to the empty box beside her. Having finished the three of them climbed down the ladder.
Buffy and Xander were sitting at the table debating the categorisation of the last object lying on the table between them. Spike had left about an hour ago when he decided had done enough helping for one night. Buffy looked up when Dawn hopped off the ladder and came and stood by the table. "Are we leaving soon?"
Buffy glanced at her watch. "Oh, sorry I didn't realise how late it was. You should be in bed by now."
Dawn groaned. "I'm fifteen. I don't need a bedtime." This time she failed to hide her yawn.
Buffy just gave Dawn a look that meant no arguing and went to pick up her coat.
"You can all go home now." Anya stated from behind the counter. "Everything seems to be in order and ready for opening again, bright and early tomorrow morning."
"Thanks for the permission" Dawn said marching towards the door.
Buffy smiled goodbye to the others who were collecting their things ready to leave, and followed Dawn out. Buffy wondered why Willow and Tara weren't hurrying after them. They did live in the same house after all. Maybe they wanted to just walk home together.
Dawn was already slightly away down the sidewalk. "Come on Buffy. It's really late. Mom will be worried" she called over her shoulder.
Buffy hurried after her, catching up easily and giving her a confused look. They walked home quietly. Buffy's mind was analysing her sister's words. 'She had said Mom will be worried, hadn't she. Dawn probably meant would have, as in past tense. Our mom wouldn't have wanted Dawn out this late. It was weird that she mentioned it though. I mean we don't talk about Mom that much. Maybe we should.'
***
Spike left his crypt and headed off through the gravestones. He was looking for something to release his pent up energy on. A couple of newbie vamps, or maybe a random demon. The sound of breaking twigs alerted Spike to the presence of something nearby. He sensed it was a large demon through the bushes to his right. He could also hear sharp breathing and a fast heartbeat, the smell of fear.
Spike grinned and leapt into attack on his unsuspecting foe. The muddy brown coloured demon growled in surprise, trying to deflect Spike's blows. The intended victim having realised the monster was distracted ran off without even a thank you. The demons deep blue eyes flashed and he suddenly grew another pair of arms, complete with sharp claws.
Spike ducked one swinging arm only to be swiped by another sending him flying to the ground. The demon approached Spike's seemingly unconscious body. When he got close enough Spike sprang to life pulling out a small dagger stabbing the demon in the throat and then heart. It's lifeless body collapsed on the ground.
Spike looked at it strangely. He was sure he had killed a demon just like this one only last week. 'Oh well, must have been his brother or something' Spike thought and headed back home.
***
Buffy and Dawn arrived at home. Buffy pulled out her key and opened the door. The house was silent. All the light had been turned out. Dawn started walking towards the stairs, her steps looking strange as if she was trying to be exceptionally quiet. She turned to Buffy and whispered "Shhh we don't want to wake anyone."
Buffy just gave her sister a look that said 'Are you going crazy?'. Dawn didn't seem to notice and continued up the stairs. Buffy followed her and watched as she went to her bedroom and closed the door with a minimal click. Buffy just shrugged her shoulders. 'Oh well if Dawn is willing to go to bed without a fuss, I'm happy. Even if she is acting kinda weird.' With that last thought Buffy also retired to her bedroom, looking forward to getting some sleep.
***
Xander lay on his back, his eyes open. Anya was curled up beside him with an arm resting over him. She was fast asleep and a faint smile played on her lips. Xander moved a piece of hair out of her face and smiled at her. She was probably dreaming about all the money she would make tomorrow or possibly even him.
Xander stared back up at the ceiling. For some reason he couldn't get to sleep. He had this weird feeling that something was wrong. Sort of like that feeling you get when you've forgotten something but can't remember what it was. He thought about getting up and making a hot milk drink or something. He wondered if that actually even worked. But Xander didn't want to disturb Anya who looked so peaceful and content.
In the kitchen on the counter top sat their phone. In the darkness of the room a little red blinking light was noticeable.
***
A/N- It may be awhile till I update again. I have to compile a list of people and demons that have died in Sunnydale. Is there a particular person or demon that you'd like to see again? Just let me know in case I left them off my list by mistake.
Please review! Come on, it doesn't take too long to write a short comment. I spent time writing this when I should have been studying for a maths exam. You can easily take one minute to say something about this story... anything.